Tag Archive | Genetic engineering

The directed transfer of genes and DNA through genetic engineering from one organism to another has been accomplished in viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, animals and insects. Genetic engineering has made significant contributions in the medical and public health fields, including through production of a vast array of drugs including the Hepatitis-B and Garadsil vaccines, a […]

Genetically engineered crops were grown on about 175 million acres in 2014, covering some 43% of US cropland. The acreage is dominated by soybeans and corn, with only a few other GE crops in production including cotton, sugar beet, alfalfa, canola, squash and papaya. Where does it all go? Everywhere Approximately 70-90% of all GE […]

In the previous post, I included a brief overview about mutation breeding for the generation of useful genetic variants in crops and ornamental plants, achieved through the use of several types of radiation and a few chemicals as the mutagenic agents. This methodology has been quite successful, though it has faded from public and media […]

Approximately 10,000 years ago humans began to shift their lifestyle from hunting and gathering to dependence upon agriculture, profoundly changing the course of civilization. Throughout these millennia, improvement in the quality and productivity of crops has depended in a large way upon genetic modification. At first, these were naturally occurring random mutations influencing plant characteristics […]